Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Median annual salary
1,072,540 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education professionals earn $3,570 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 5.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $98,990 compared to $104,670 for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,710 | $47,330 | $-7,620 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,190 | $57,800 | $-9,610 |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 | $64,580 | $-3,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,280 | $83,010 | $-4,730 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,990 | $104,670 | $-5,680 |
| Mean (Average) | $66,510 | $73,700 | $-7,190 |
Employment Numbers
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
1,072,540
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Paralegals and Legal Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,230 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $84,950 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $80,550 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $79,240 |
Best Cities for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $103,640 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $103,640 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $99,840 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $99,740 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,530 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
What is the salary range for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education to Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS